Donald Downer

I’m not trying to be mean but is there a point to these posts? Is this new feature similar to things like ffffound.com (and a million similar sites) where random shit that caught someone’s eye is posted? It’s not that there’s anything WRONG with that — it’s just a whole bunch of those sites already exist.

Personally I think these posts would be more useful (and interesting) if there was a message or story to go along with it. Are these supposed to be examples of good design? Bad? Is there a story behind how the whole idea came together? It it just a vehicle to promote the names of the people who worked on a project? Are we supposed to vote thumbs up or down on each one?

How does this make me a better photographer? How does this make me better prepared to run a photography business? How do I get chosen to shoot these gigs? I think those are the core issues that resonate with most people who visit this site. It’s always great to see the end result of a creative project; but unless there is some message behind these posts they are, at best, a mild distraction.

How did the team choose Feinberg for this particular project? There’s a creative concept to shoot a pair of bottles to resemble breasts. No one specializes in that. So how did the photographer get matched up with this particular project? There really needs to be a story to go along with these things.

Hmmm, I would think that you could express your opinion in respect to the image and its use by the publisher. I would think that it would give thought that moves creative ideas outside the typical thought process (outside the box, a new creative paradigm). There could have been many options to illustrate the subject, some of them potentially too graphic and unusable for the audience.

I don’t know how you can compare this to FFfound, you have no idea who was involve in the creative process for the most part. The other option is did you ever think that this could give some insight into what works for the end user and that if you style fits they could be a potential client to work for… as far as the rest of the stuff you mentioned read the rest of the APE, especially the archives.

craig

Donald Downer

Not true. I’m not trying piss off anyone. I’m simply asking the point of this feature. There is no shortage of posts right here on APE telling us photographers we need to be unique. We need a recognizable style. We need to be doing things no one else is doing. So apply those same recommendations to this feature. There are a multitude of sites devoted to the various elements of graphic design that offer a higher volume and breadth of examples of the craft. How is this feature unique? What does it bring to the table that the others do not?

I don’t think it’s a revelation to most photographers that images from a photo shoot are sometimes used in editorial content. I doubt Mitchell Feinberg saw this post, slapped his forehead, and said “so THAT’S why I got that check in the mail.” Examples of images used in editorial content aren’t that enlightening. And critiquing stuff that has already been published seems like a pointless exercise. So why is it here?

I like graphic design. I also like baseball. Should Rob start publishing box scores on this site? This is a site aimed at professional photographers. I think the content should reflect that core focus. I’m just saying this feature needs some kind of hook that makes it different from all the other similar stuff out there and more relevant to the target audience. If that pisses you off, I’m sorry.

Donald Downer

I know Rob features a lot of stuff about how photographers get jobs, but the site is called A Photo Editor, not A Photo Editor’s Guide To Get You A Job. I like seeing interesting creative editorials and like the direction of these new posts. I don’t necessarily care about the back story of how the photographer was chosen. How the image came together? Maybe, if it’s an unusual story and not just a “we threw money at it” solution.

craig

Donald Downer

>>I would think that you could express your opinion in respect to the image and its use by the publisher.

What’s the point if it has already been published? The only options would be to make a negative comment (kind of a moot point, no?) or do more of the shameless butt-kissing that seems to haunt this site.

There’s nothing wrong with looking at creative projects for inspiration. But there are tons of other sites which offer that sort of content — with a lot more pieces of eye candy than this daily installment. As for the APE archives, sure there is a lot of good content there. But this is fundamentally a trade-oriented publication with professional photographers as the target audience. I think you have to ask the “what’s the professional photographer angle?” on all content otherwise you risk losing focus.

Regarding using the names mentioned as contacts, that’s fine I suppose. But I’m going to guess the people mentioned in these posts are going to be flooded with emails, promotional material, etc. Is that really a good thing? I seem to recall a APE post a while back where ADs and PEs were complaining about receiving unsolicited emails (oh, the horror). And how productive will it be to be one of a few hundred photographers to send Zana Woods an email explaining how I can also shoot objects to look like breasts?

Dylan Haley

I agree. This was actually my first thought after seeing these posts and I’m glad somebody brought it up. I love this site and it has helped me in my professional life, so no bad comments from me, just in agreement with Donald Downer…who I think is not trying to be confrontational, only challenging the site to stay on track with its professional audience. Just my opinion. I really look forward to some of the comments from some fantastic professionals who frequent this site.

I think that comments like Joe’s, and realizations like Alan So’s show that this is a powerful new feature…. with all due respect to Donald Downer (appropriate name). A feature with a single image from the publishing world, basic data, delivered faithfully on a daily basis will promote a wide swath of comments, thoughts, introspection, opinion, joy, anger, etc. Folks will make of it as they see fit and it adds to the dialogue ecosystem. In other words, it’s good oil for the machine here at APE. But I agree with Victor, that it may be best to not give it center column status along with the other more in depth posts because it serves a different function.

Javi

Even i disagree with Donald on the way he presents the issue of this posts being pointless, i agree with the point itself, i mean, they really look pointless. Everyday i check your blog, and now i ask myself, why is this here? is not even interesting (beside if it´s good or bad). Is just a scan of a magazine, wich is usually not a big deal really. Sure is your blog, i´m nobody to tough you what is good or bad, right or wrong, better or worst. Just i was used to a high standart around here…

Ryan

Its a great example of concept over technique! Which is not to down play Mitchell at all, he is very good. I think this tear sheet is a good example for editorial photographers, it shows that sometimes you need to let the creatives’ at the magazine shine.

This business is very fickle and I’m not sure Rob (or anyone) has the answers for technical or business success. I read APE for entertainment and inspiration.